2022 European Championships: Day 5 Finals Live Recap

2022 EUROPEAN AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

• Thursday, August 11 – Wednesday, August 17, 2022 (pool swimming)
• Rome, Italy
• Parco Del Foro Italico
• LCM (50m)
• Start Times
  • Prelims: 9:00 am local / 3:00 am ET
  • Finals: 6:00 pm local / 12:00 pm ET
• Meet Central
• Event Schedule
• Entries
• Live Results
• Live Stream
• Day 5 Finals Heat Sheet

DAY 5 FINALS HEAT SHEET

We are off with another busy finals session, which includes the women’s 100 fly, men’s 200 free,  women’s 200 breast, men’s 100 back, and the mixed 4×100 free relay races.

All eyes are going to be on David Popovici in the 200 free, where he will get another opportunity to come close to Paul Biedermann‘s once-untouchable super-suited world record. He cruised semi-finals and put up a time of 1:44.91, and will take lane four tonight. Is he going to improve upon his world junior record time of 1:43.21, which was the fastest time swum since 2012? After his world record in the 100 free, anything seems possible for him.

The women’s 200 breast could be a redemption swim for Martina Carraro, who missed Italy’s World Championship team this year. However, in semi-finals yesterday, she clocked a new best time of 2:23.73 and dropped over a second off her best time. If she repeats that performance today, she could be a European Champion and potentially an Italian record holder—the record time currently stands at 2:23.05.

In the men’s 50 back, we are in for a battle between top two seeds Apostolos Christou and 100 back world record holder Thomas Ceccon, as they clocked semi-finals times of 24.48 and 24.65 respectively. Also watch out for Michael Leytovskey and Ole Braunschweig, who both could also be in contention for medals.

Marie Wattel dominated semi-finals of the women’s 100 fly yesterday, as she put up a time of 56.99 and was the only woman under the 57 second mark. Her biggest challengers are set to be Louise Hansson, as well as young guns like Lana Pudar and Roos van Otterdijik.

Also look for semi-finals action in the men’s 50 breast, women’s 50 free, men’s 200 fly, and women’s 200 IM

WOMEN’S 100 BUTTERFLY – FINALS

• World Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• European Record: 55.48 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• European Championships Record: 55.89 – Sarah Sjostrom, SWE (2016)
• 2020 European Champion: Anna Ntountounaki, GRE/Marie Wattel, FRA – 57.37

Top 8:

1. Louise Hansson (SWE) — 56.66
2. Marie Wattel (FRA) — 56.80
3. Lana Pudar (BSH) — 57.27
4. Angelina Koehler (GER) — 57.90
5. Anna Ntountounaki (GRE) — 57.91
6. Ilaria Bianchi (ITA) — 58.34
7. Keanna Macinnes (GBR) — 58.68
8. Roos Vanotterdijk (BEL) — 58.74

Top seed Marie Wattel got off to an early lead with an opening split of 26.59 and was first at the 50 meter mark, but Louise Hansson overtook her on the home stretch with a 30.07 back half (the fastest in the field) to take her first individual long course title in a time of 56.66. Her time was just slightly off her season-best of 56.48 set at the world championships. Lana Pudar was third, breaking her own Bosnian record time of57.37 to clock a 57.27. Her bronze medal is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first-ever medal won at the European Championships.

MEN’S 200 FREESTYLE – FINALS

• World Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• European Record: 1:42.00 – Paul Biedermann, GER (2009)
• European Championship Record: 1:44.79 – Martin Malyutin, RUS (2021)
• 2020 European Champion: Martin Malyutin, RUS – 1:44.79

Top 8:

1. David Popovici (ROU) — 1:42.97 (WJR)
2. Antonio Djakovic (SUI) — 1:45.60
3. Felix Auboeck (AUS) — 1:45.89
4. Marco De Tullio (ITA) — 1:46.37
5. Danas Raspys (LIT) — 1:46.48
6. Stefano Di Cola (ITA) — 1:46.74
7. Lukas Martens (GER) — 1:46.80
8. Dimitrios Markos (GRE) — 1:48.05

So David Popovici wasn’t done after his 100 free world record. He led the 200 free start to finish, but he opened in 50.35, which was slower than his World Championships pace. However, he had a ferocious back half, splitting 26.01 on his last 50 to clock a 1:42.97. He not only beat out his old World Junior Record time of 1:43.21, but he also took down Yannick Agnel‘s textile world record of 1:43.12.

Now, Popovici is the third-fastest performer of all time (and the fastest textile performer) and the first swimmer to go under 1:43 since 2009. The only people who have been faster than him are Paul Biedermann (1:42.00) and Michael Phelps (1:42.96)

Popovici’s Splits:

• 50m: 24.10
• 100m: 26.25/50.35
• 150m: 26.61/1:16.96
• 200m: 26.01/1:42.97

Finishing behind Popovici were Antonio Djakovic and Felix Auboeck, who took silver and bronze in times of 1:45.60 and 1;45.89 respectively. Auboeck had a great comeback, being in seventh at the 150 meter mark but coming home in 26.87 to move up four spots. Djakovic, meanwhile, took home his first major international long course medal.

WOMEN’S 200 BREASTSTROKE – FINALS

• World Record: 2:18.95, Tatjana Schoenmaker (RSA) — 2021 Olympics
• European Record: 2:19.11, Rikke Moeller Pedersen (DEN) — 2013 World Championships
• European Championship Record: 2:19.84, Rikke Moeller Pedersen (DEN) — 2014
• 2021 European Champion: Molly Renshaw (GBR), 2:21.34

Top 8:

1. Lisa Mamie (SUI) — 2:23.27
2. Martina Carraro (ITA) — 2:23.64
3. Kotryna Terekova (LTU) — 2:24.16
4. Thea Blomsterberg (DEN) — 2:25.57
5. Kristyna Horska (CZE) — 2:26.07
6. Francesca Fangio (ITA) — 2:26.79
7. Mona McSharry (IRE) — 2:26.96
8. Jessica Vall Montero (ESP) — 2:27.19

Kotryna Teterekova had the lead for the first 150 meters of the race, holding 36-point splits before fading on the back stretch and closing in 38.45. Lisa Mamie and Martina Carraro, who had final 50 times of 36.92 and 36.81 respectively, moved up on Teterekova to go 1-2.

Mamie was a bit off her Swiss record time of 2:22.05, wheras Carraro improved a few tenths off her best time of 2:23.76 set yesterday. Carraro’s medal was the fifth breaststroke medal for Italy at this met.

Mona McSharry, who was second at the halfway mark, ended up falling all the way down to seventh.

WOMEN’S 100 BACKSTROKE — SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 57.45 – Kaylee McKeown, AUS (2021)
• European Record: 58.08 – Kathleen Dawnson, GBR (2021)
• European Championships Record: 58.44 – Kathleen Dawson, GBR (2021)
• 2020 European Champion: Kathleen Dawson, GBR – 58.49

Top 8 qualifiers:

1. Margherita Panziera (ITA) — 59.72
2. Pauline Mahieu (FRA) — 59.75
3. Maaike De Waard (NED) — 59.89
4. Medi Harris (GBR) — 1:00.03
5. Silvia Scalia (ITA) — 1:00.04
6. Kira Toussaint (NED) — 1:00.10
7. Emma Terebo (FRA) — 1:00.35
8. Simona Kubova (CZE) — 1:00.38

Margherita Panziera took the first semi-final in a time of 59.72, with Pauline Mahieu and Medi Harris following. For Mahieu, it was her first time under a minute, which makes her a part of France’s growing sub-one minute backstroke club this year alongside Analia Pigree, Mary Moluh, and Emma Terebo.

The second semi-final was considerably slower, with Maakie De Waard being the only one under a minute. Her teammate Kira Toussaint clocked a 1:00.10 that was well off her prelims time of 59.59 that could have won the semi-finals. This year, she has not been close to her best time of 58.65 that she set in 2021.

MEN’S 50 BREASTSTROKE — SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 25.95, Adam Peaty (GBR) – 2017 World Championships
• European Record: 25.95, Adam Peaty (GBR) – 2017 World Championships
• European Championships Record: 26.09, Adam Peaty (GBR) – 2018
• 2020 European Champion: Adam Peaty (GBR) – 26.21

Top 8:

1. Nicolo Martinenghi (ITA) — 26.64
2. Simone Cerasuolo (ITA) — 26.86
3. Lucas Matzerath (GER) — 27.16
4. Bernard Reitshammer (AUT) — 27.19
5. Peter John Stevens (SLO) — 27.27
6. Volodymyr Lisovets (UKR)/Valentin Bayer (AUT) — 27.34
8. Olli Kokko (FIN) — 27.43

Italy once again showed their breaststroke dominance when Simone Cerasuolo won by nearly half a second. He was the only man in his race under 27 seconds, and his 26.86 was just 0.01 seconds off the 26.85 time he went on prelims.

As expected, Nicolo Martinenghi won the second semi-final in 26.64, and will take lane four for tomorrow’s finals.  The Austrians also had a good showing, with Bernard Reitshammer and Valentin Bayer both making it back as well.

WOMEN’S 50 FREESTYLE — SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 23.67, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2017 World Championships
• European Record: 23.67, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2017 World Championships
• European Championship Record: 23.74, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) – 2018
• 2020 European Champion: Ranomi Kromowidjojo (NED), 23.97

Top 8 qualifiers:

1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) — 24.27
2. Kasia Wasick (POL) — 24.36
3. Silvia Di Pietro (ITA) — 24.72
4. Valerie Van Ron (NED) — 24.75
5. Anna Hopkin (GBR) — 24.80
6. Beryl Gastadello (FRA) — 24.89
7. Julie Jensen (DEN) — 24.98
8. Tessa Giele (NED) — 24.99

The European 50 free podium looks to be a repeat of the Worlds 50 free podium, with worlds gold medalist Sarah Sjostrom and silver medalist Kasia Wasick being way far ahead of the pack and taking the top two seeds headed into the finals. Wasick has shown incredible consistency this year, as her 24.36 swim today was her sixth time under 24.5 this year.

Beryl Gastadello had a strong swim as well, being just 0.02 off her best time. Recently, she returned to train in France after a stint with American coach Coley Stickels.

It was a fast semi-final, as it took a sub-25 to place top 8 and make it back to finals.

MEN’S 200 BUTTERFLY – SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 1:50.34 – Kristof Milak, HUN (2022)
• European Record: 1:50.34 – Kristof Milak, HUN (2022)
• European Championships Record: 1:51.10 – Kristof Milak, HUN (2021)
• 2020 European Champion: Kristof Milak, HUN – 1:51.10

Top 8 qualifiers:

1. Kristof Milak (HUN) — 1:53.97
2. Alberto Razzeti (ITA) — 1:55.18
3. Noe Ponti (SUI) — 1:55.28
4. Richard Marton (HUN) — 1:55.36
5. Giacomo Carini (ITA) — 1:55.61
6. Krzysztof Chimielewski (POL) — 1:55.68
7. Kregor Zirk (EST) — 1:56.43
8. Denys Kesil (UKR) — 1:56.81

Kristof Milak, of course, was dominant in this semi-final round, clocking a 1:53.97 that was over a second faster than any other man could go today. He seemed to have shut things off in the last few meters of the race, splitting 24.68/28.77/29.83 on his first 150 and then clocking a 30.69 final lap.

Alberto Razzetti and Noe Ponti had a battle in the first semi-final race, with Razzetti holding a substantial lead over the field before Ponti charged on him in the home stretch.

WOMEN’S 200 INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY — SEMIFINALS

• World Record: 2:06.12, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2015 World Championships
• European Record: 2:06.12, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2015 World Championships
• European Championship Record: 2:07.30, Katinka Hosszu (HUN) – 2016
• 2020 European Champion: Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR), 2:09.99

Top 8 qualifiers:

1. Katie Shanahan (GBR) — 2:11.84
2. Marrit Steenbergen (NED) — 2:12.31
3. Katinka Hosszu (HUN) — 2:12.52
4. Sara Francheschi (ITA) — 2:12.76
5. Anastasia Gorbenko (ISR) — 2:12.91
6. Maria Ugolkova (SUI) — 2:12.92
7. Kristyna Horska (CZE) — 2:12.99
8. Dalma Sebestyen (HUN) — 2:13.26

Katie Shanahan led these semi-finals as the only woman under 2:12, being propelled by a strong 32.44 backstroke leg to clock a 2:11.84. Following her is Marrit Steenbergen, who looks to pick up another medal after winning the 100 and 200 free final earlier this meet.

World record holder Katinka Hosszu took the semi-final, flipping in third at the 150 meter mark and overtaking Anastasia Gorbenko and Maria Ugolkova on the freestyle leg with a 31.41 split. She’s going to make it through into the final after missing the 400 IM final earlier this meet, and will get another opportunity to near her goal of 100 international medals.

MEN’S 50 BACK – FINALS

• World Record: 23.71, Hunter Armstrong (USA) – 2022 U.S. International Team Trials
• European Record: 23.80, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2020 European Championships
• European Championships Record: 23.80, Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 2020 European Championships
• 2020 European Champion: Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS) – 23.80

Top 8:

1. Apostolos Christou (GRE) — 24.36
2. Thomas Ceccon (ITA) — 24.40
3. Ole Braunschweig (GER) — 24.68
4. Michael Leytrovskiy (24.75)
5. Michele Lamberti (ITA) — 24.85
6. Kacper Stokowski (POL) — 24.99
7. Yohann Ndoye Brouard (FRA) — 25.06
8. Tomasz Polewka (POL) — 25.08

There was an extremely tight finish in the men’s 50 back, with Apostolos Christou just edging out Thomas Ceccon by 0.04 seconds on the finish. Christou broke his own Greek record time of 25.39 by 0.03 seconds, wheras Ceccon took 0.06 seconds off his own Italian record. Both of the previous national records broken by these two men were from this year’s World Championships.

German record holder Ole Braunschwieg was third in 24.68, slower than his best time of 24.58 but still fast enough to earn his first-ever major international medal.

WOMEN’S 1500 FREESTYLE

• World Record: 15:20.48 – Katie Ledecky, USA (2018)
• European Record: 15:38.88 – Lotte Friis, DEN (2013)
• European Championships Record: 15:50.22, Boglarka Kapas (2016)
• 2020 European Champion: Simona Quadarella, ITA – 15:53.59

Top 8:

1. Simona Quadarella (ITA) — 15:54.15
2. Viktoria Mihalyvari (HUN) — 16:02.15
3. Martina Caramignoli (ITA) — 16:12.39
4. Paula Fernandez (ESP) — 16:18.27
5. Tamlia Holub (POR) — 16:18.64
6. Angela Guillen (POR) — 16:22.37
7. Diana Duraes (POR) — 16:26.53
8. Alisee Pisane (BEL) — 16:37.34

Simona Quadarella successfully completed the distance sweep, clocking a time of 15:54.15 to win her third-straight 1500 free European title. She dominated the entire race from start to finish, winning by eighth seconds. She was also way faster than she was at the World Championships, where she finished fifth in the 1500 free final with a time of 16:03.84.

Finishing behind Quadarella was Hungary’s Viktoria Mihalyvari, who just topped her best time of 16:02.26 from the Tokyo Olympics to comfortably take second. Italian Martina Caramignoli was third, adding another medal to her country’s collection at this meet.

MIXED 4×100 FREESTYLE RELAY — FINALS

• World Record: 3:19.38, Australia (Cartwright, Chalmers, Wilson, O’Callaghan) – 2022 World Championships
• European Record: 3:21.81, Netherlands (Schwietert, Stolk, Heemskerk, Kromowidjojo) – 2017 World Championships
• European Championships Record: 3:22.07, France/Great Britain – 2017/2021
• 2020 European Champion: Great Britain (Scott, Dean, Hopkin, Anderson) – 3:22.07

Top 8:

1. France — 3:22.80
2. Great Britain — 3:23.30
3. Sweden — 3:23.40
4. Italy — 3:23.62
5. Poland — 3:25.73
6. Netherlands — 3:26.08
7. Hungary — 3:26.54
8. Spain — 3:27.52

Originally, Sarah Sjostrom was set to lead off for Sweden on the mixed 4×100 free relay, something that female swimmers rarely do. However, they ended up swapping her with Bjorn Seeliger last minute.

Maxime Grousset went 48.02 leading off to put France into first place position, but Seeliger was not too far behind. He went 48.09, which was substantially faster than his individual race time of 48.96. Then, a 47.38 leg from Alessandro Miressi (the fastest male split in the field) gave the Italians the lead at the halfway mark.

When the women dove in, Sarah Sjostrom put Sweden back in first, splitting a 52.68 that was the fastest time out of all the women. Louise Hansson‘s 53.72 helped the Swedes hold on and get bronze, but Marie Wattel and Freya Anderson went 53.05 and 53.03 respectivley to overtake her.

In the end, it was France who won, Great Britain who got silver, and Sweden who got bronze.

Marrit Steenbergen split 52.90 for the Netherlands to bring them from eighth to sixth, being the only woman aside from Sjostrom to split sub-53.

Splits:

1. France— Maxime Grousset (48.02), Charles Rihoux (48.39), Charlotte Bonnet (53.34), Marie Wattel (53.05)
2. Great Britain — Tom Dean (48.46), Matt Richards (48.19), Anna Hopkin (53.62), Freya Anderson (53.03)
3. Sweden — Bjorn Seeliger (48.09), Robin Hanson (48.91), Sarah Sjostrom (52.68), Louise Hansson (53.72)
4. Italy — Lorenzo Zazzeri (48.38), Alessandro Miressi (47.38), Silvia Di Pietro (53.92), Chiara Tarantino (53.94)